According to the WHO (2002) Progress Report there is a fusion of traditional and modern medicine that may affect the uptake of palliative care in Ethiopia.

The practice of modern medicine, traditional medicine, and holy water treatment run side-by-side in Addis Ababa. Both HIV/AIDS and cancer patients tend to go first to modern health facilities, but these diseases are often not effectively managed at these centers. When there is not a satisfactory solution to the medical problem, patients consider seeking out assistance from traditional medicine or holy water treatment to fill the gap.²⁷